U.S. patent application number 13/162853 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for intelligent electrical power distribution system.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Michael Krenz.
Application Number | 20120319469 13/162853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46603529 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120319469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krenz; Michael |
December 20, 2012 |
INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Abstract
An intelligent power distribution system distributes power on a
vehicle. The system includes at least a first power source and a
second power source for supplying electrical power, and at least a
first power block and a second power block, each connected to
receive power from the first power source and the second power
source. Each power block includes at least one load and a power
selector having a first input for receiving power from the first
power source and a second power source and an output for supplying
power from either the first power source or the second power source
to the at least one load. The power selector selects either the
first power source or the second power source for provision to the
at least one load based on characteristics of the at least one
load.
Inventors: |
Krenz; Michael; (Roscoe,
IL) |
Assignee: |
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND
CORPORATION
Windsor Locks
CT
|
Family ID: |
46603529 |
Appl. No.: |
13/162853 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/9.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 3/005 20130101;
H02J 3/18 20130101; H02J 4/00 20130101; H02J 2310/44 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
307/9.1 |
International
Class: |
B60L 1/00 20060101
B60L001/00 |
Claims
1. An intelligent electrical power distribution system for
distributing power on a vehicle the electrical power distribution
system comprising: at least a first power source and a second power
source for supplying electrical power; at least a first power block
and a second power block, each connected to both the first power
source and the second power source, each power block comprising: at
least one load; and a power selector having a first input for
receiving power from the first power source and a second input for
receiving power from the second power source, and an output for
supplying power from either the first power source or the second
power source to the at least one load, wherein the power selector
selects either the first power source or the second power source
based on characteristics of the at least one load.
2. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 1,
wherein the electrical power distribution system further includes:
a controller connected to communicate with the first power block
and a second power block, wherein the controller receives
information from the first and second power blocks regarding
characteristics of the at least one load associated with each power
block and in response provides commands selecting the power source
to be provided to the at least one load associated with each power
block.
3. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 2,
wherein each power block determines based on the monitored
characteristics of the at least one load whether the at least one
load is "noisy" or "clean".
4. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 3,
wherein information received by the controller from the first and
second power blocks regarding characteristics of the at least one
load associated with each power block includes whether the at least
one load is "noisy" or "clean", wherein the controller provides
commands selecting the power source to be provided to the at least
one load associated with each power block based on whether the at
least one load is "noisy" or "clean".
5. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 1,
wherein each power selector further includes: a switch matrix
having a plurality of switches for selectively connecting either
the first input or the second input to the output; and a local
controller connected to control the plurality of switches included
within the switch matrix.
6. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 5,
wherein the local controller is programmed with information
regarding the power source to provide to the load based on
characteristics of the at least one load associated with each power
block.
7. The intelligent electrical power distribution system of claim 5,
wherein each power selector further includes a sensor for
monitoring characteristics of the at least one load associated with
the power block used to determine the power source to provide to
the at least one load associated with each power block.
8. A power selector for use in an intelligent power distribution
system to distribute power from one of a plurality of power sources
to at least one load, the power selector comprising: a switch
matrix having a plurality of switches for selectively connecting
one of the plurality of power sources provided as inputs to the
switch matrix to an output of the switch matrix for provision to
the load; and a local controller connected to control the plurality
of switches included within the switch matrix to select the power
source provided as an output of the switch matrix, wherein the
power source selected for provision to the load is selected based
on characteristics of the at least one load associated with the
power selector.
9. The power selector of claim 8, wherein characteristics of the at
least one load are pre-programmed based on a priori information
regarding the at least one load connected to the power
selector.
10. The power selector of claim 8, further including: a sensor
connected to monitor characteristics of the at least one load,
wherein based on the monitored characteristics the local controller
determines the power source to be provided to the at least one
load.
11. The power selector of claim 8, wherein characteristics of the
at least one load includes determinations of whether the load is
"noisy" or "clean".
12. The power selector of claim 8, wherein the local controller
communicates characteristics of the at least one load to a central
controller and receives commands from the central controller
selecting the power source to be provided to the at least one
load.
13. An intelligent power distribution system for distributing power
on a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of power sources
for generating electrical energy; a plurality of power blocks each
connected to the plurality of power sources for selectively
applying one of the plurality of power sources to a load associated
with each of the plurality of power blocks; and a controller
connected to communicate with the plurality of power blocks and to
provide commands to each of the plurality of power blocks regarding
selection of the power source to be provided to the at least one
load associated with each power block.
14. The intelligent power distribution system of claim 13, wherein
each of the plurality of power blocks monitors one or more
characteristics of the at least one load.
15. The intelligent power distribution system of claim 14, wherein
each of the plurality of power blocks characterizes the at least
one load connected to the power block based on the one or more
characteristics of the load.
16. The intelligent power distribution system of claim 15, wherein
each of the plurality of power blocks characterizes the at least
one load as either "noisy" or "clean" based on the monitored
characteristics, wherein the characterization of the at least one
load is communicated to the controller, which based on the provided
characterization provides commands to the plurality of power blocks
with instructions regarding the power source to be provided to the
at least one load.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention is related to power distribution
systems, and in particular to intelligent power distribution
systems.
[0002] Electrical power distribution systems employed in vehicles
such as aircraft provide for the redundant distribution of power
from a plurality of power sources to a plurality of loads. Each
load is associated with one of a plurality of power distribution
buses, which in turn is connected to one of the plurality of power
sources. The system is redundant in that if one of the power
sources fails, another one of the plurality of power sources can be
used to supply the power distribution bus with power. In this power
distribution topology, all loads connected to a particular power
bus are supplied with power from a single power source.
[0003] However, a drawback of this topology is some loads create
transients on the power distribution bus that can adversely affect
the loads connected to the same power distribution bus. Typically,
large (and therefore expensive) filters are required to reduce the
effects of those transients.
SUMMARY
[0004] An intelligent power distribution system for distribution
power on an aircraft, includes at least a first power source and a
second power source for supplying electrical power, and at least a
first power block and a second power block, each connected to
receive power from the first power source and the second power
source. Each power block includes at least one load and a power
selector having a first input for receiving power from the first
power source and a second power source and an output for supplying
power from either the first power source or the second power source
to the at least one load. The power selector selects either the
first power source or the second power source for provision to the
at least one load based on characteristics of the at least one
load.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a power distribution system
as known in the prior art.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power distribution system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a power block according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] The power distribution system of the present invention
provides for the intelligent distribution of power to various loads
onboard a vehicle. A benefit of this approach is it allows for the
intelligent isolation of "noisy" loads from "clean" loads.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of power distribution system 10
as known in the prior art. Power distribution system 10 includes
power sources 12a-12c, contactors 14a-14e, loads 16a-16f, and power
distribution buses 18a-18c. Power supplied by power sources 12a-12c
is distributed via selective control of contactors 14a-14e to power
distribution buses 18a-18c for supply to loads 16a-16f. In this
type of power distribution architecture, loads 16a-16f draw power
from whichever power source 12-12c is presently supplying power to
the power distribution bus 18a-18c with which the load is
associated. For example, loads 16a and 16b are associated with
power bus 18a, and will therefore draw power from whichever power
source 12a-12c is configured to supply power to power distribution
bus 18a.
[0010] The benefit of this long-utilized power distribution
topology is it provides power supply redundancy to each of the
plurality of loads. For example, power source 12a supplies power to
power distribution bus 18a through selective control of contactors
14a and 14b (i.e., by closing contactor 14a and opening contactor
14b). In the event power source 12a fails, power source 12b may be
employed to supply power to power distribution bus 18a by
selectively closing contactor 14b (and typically opening contactor
14a).
[0011] However, this power distribution topology requires that load
16a and 16b (as well as load pairs 16c, 16d and load pairs 16e, 160
be sourced with power from the same power source. In the event that
one of the loads (e.g., load 16a) is a "noisy" load that creates a
lot of distortion on power distribution bus 18a, those distortions
are communicated to the loads sharing the same power distribution
bus.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of power distribution system 20
according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power
distribution system 20 includes a plurality power sources 22a-22c,
power blocks 24a-24f and power distribution buses 26a-26c. Each of
the plurality of power blocks 24a-24f is connected to receive power
from each of the plurality of power distribution buses 26a-26c, and
therefore each power block 24a-24c is capable of receiving power
from any one of the plurality of power sources 22a, 22c. For
purposes of this description, loads associated with power blocks
24a, 24c, and 24e are classified as "noisy" (i.e., loads with
varying energy consumption in terms of varying current,
electromagnetic interference, and/or power factor), while loads
associated with power blocks 24b, 24d, and 24f are described as
"clean" (i.e., loads with consistent energy consumption in terms of
current flow, electromagnetic interference and/or power
factor).
[0013] Each power block 24a-24f is therefore capable of drawing
power from any one of the plurality of power sources 22a-22c. For
example, power block 24a is connected to each of the plurality of
power sources 22a-22c, and may selectively draw power from one of
the plurality of power sources. This is in contrast with the power
distribution system described with respect to FIG. 1, in which each
load 16a-16f was restricted to drawing power from the power bus to
which it was connected, and as a result from whichever power source
was providing power to the power bus associated with the load. A
benefit of power distribution system 20 is "noisy" loads associated
with power blocks 24a, 24c, and 24e can be configured to draw power
from one of the plurality of power sources (e.g., power source 22a)
while "clean" loads associated with power blocks 24b, 24d, and 24f
can be configured to draw power from a different power source
(e.g., power source 22c). In this way, "noisy" loads 24a, 24c, and
24e do not adversely affect "clean" loads 24b, 24d, and 24f.
[0014] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of power blocks
24a-24f is pre-programmed with information regarding the type of
load (e.g., "noisy" or "clean") to which it is connected, and based
on this a priori information determines the appropriate power
source 22a-22c from which it should draw power. In another
embodiment, rather than program power blocks 24a-24f with
information about the type of load to which it is connected, each
power block is programmed with information about the power source
22a-22c from which it should draw power. In both of these
embodiments, prior knowledge of the system architecture (i.e., the
loads which will be connected to each power block) is required to
program power blocks 24a-24f.
[0015] In addition, each power block 24a-24f may further include
information regarding what power sources to connect to in the event
the current power source fails or becomes unavailable. For example,
power blocks 24a, 24c and 24e associated with "noisy" loads may be
programmed to selectively draw power from power source 22b in the
event power source 22a becomes unavailable.
[0016] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each power block 24a-24f
is connected to communication bus 28 for communicating with other
power blocks 24a-24f and/or with controller 30. Communication
between controller 30 and the plurality of power blocks 24a-24f may
include information regarding the type of load (e.g., "noisy",
"clean", etc.) associated with each power block and the power
source 22a-22c from which the power block is currently drawing
power. This information is used by controller 30 to make
determinations regarding from which power supply 22a-22c each power
block 24a-24f should draw power. Communication between power blocks
24a-24f and controller 30 may be used in conjunction with a priori
programming such that controller 30 of each power block 24a-24f to
coordinate power source selections in the event one or more power
sources becomes unavailable, or may be used in place of a priori
programming such that controller 30 dynamically determines the
power source 22a-22c from which each power block 24a-24f will draw
power. A benefit of this approach is it allows power distribution
system 20 to dynamically respond to changing load conditions. For
example, the load associated with power block 24a may initially be
classified as a "clean" load and be assigned to draw power from
power source 22c. During operation, the load associated with power
block 24a may become "noisy". Power block 24a monitors the power
drawn and communicates the change in load characteristics to
controller 30. In response, controller 30 may instruct power block
24a to connect to a different power source (e.g., power sources
22a-22c) reserved for "noisy" loads.
[0017] Classification of a load (e.g., classifying a load as either
"noisy" or "clean") may be done locally by each of the power blocks
24a-24f based on monitored characteristics of the load, or may be
done centrally by controller 30 based on information communicated
from each of plurality of power blocks 24a-24f. Classification of
loads associated with each of the power blocks may be based on
monitoring of voltage, current, power and/or combinations
thereof.
[0018] In one embodiment, control of each of the plurality of power
blocks 24a-24f is centralized in controller 30, which receives
inputs from each of the plurality of power blocks 24a-24f and in
response provides instructions/commands to each of the plurality of
power blocks 24a-24f regarding the power source 22a-22c from which
the power block should draw power. In another embodiment, control
of each of the plurality of power blocks 24a-24f is distributed
among the plurality of power blocks, with no centralized
controller. In this embodiment, power blocks 24a-24f communicate
via communication bus 28 with one another, and determine in a
distributed manner the power sources 22a-22c from which each of the
plurality of power blocks 24a-24f should draw power.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of power block 24a according to
an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, power block 24a includes power selector 32 and load 34.
Power selector 32, in turn, includes switch matrix 36, local
controller 38 and sensor 40.
[0020] Power from each of the plurality of available power sources
22a-22c is provided as an input to power selector 32. Within power
selector 32, switch matrix 36 includes a plurality of inputs for
receiving power from each of the plurality of available power
sources 22a-22c, an output for providing one of the plurality of
power sources 22a-22c to load 34, and a plurality of switches S1-S3
selectively controlled by local controller 38 to determine the
power source 22a-22c provided to load 34. Various switches and
switch configurations may be employed to apply one of the plurality
of power sources 22a-22c as an output to load 34. For example,
switches may make use of electro-mechanical switches, such as
relays, or solid-state switch devices such as metal-oxide
semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated gate
bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and silicon carbide (SiC) switches.
Likewise, various switch configurations may be employed to
multiplex power from the input of switch matrix 36 to the output of
switch matrix 36.
[0021] In one embodiment, local controller 38 is programmed with a
priori information regarding the type of load 34 to which it is
connected (e.g., "noisy", "clean") and/or the power source 22a-22c
to be used to supply power to load 34. In this embodiment, while
local controller 38 may communicate with other power blocks
24b-24f, the selection of power to be supplied to load 34 is
predetermined based on knowledge of the load and the power source
22a-22c selected to source particular types of loads.
[0022] In other embodiments, local controller 38 communicates with
controller 30 (and/or other power blocks 24a-24f) to dynamically
determine the appropriate power source to provide to load 34.
Communication provided by local controller 38 may include
characteristics of the load as monitored by sensor 40,
determinations made by local controller 38 regarding whether the
load is "noisy" or "clean," and the power source 22a-22c presently
connected to supply power to load 34. In response, local controller
38 receives commands/instructions from controller 30 (and/or power
blocks 24b-24f) selecting a power source 22a-22c to supply to load
34.
[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, sensor 40 is a current
sensor configured to monitor current supplied to load 34. Detected
transients in the monitored current are indicative of a "noisy"
load and can be used to classify a load as either "noisy" or
`clean". The monitored current characteristics can be communicated
to controller 30 or may be processed locally by local controller 38
to classify the load (e.g., as either "noisy" or "clean"). If
processed locally, then the classification of the load is
communicated by local controller 38 to controller 30. In other
embodiments, other types of sensors may be employed to monitor
other characteristics (e.g., voltage, power) of the power being
supplied to load 34. Local controller 38 receives the monitored
characteristics, and based on the monitored characteristics
determines whether the load is "noisy" or "clean".
[0024] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *